Rev. Thomas J. Quinlivan

Deceased: 2025-02-05

Diocese: BUFFALO

ICTE Spring: 1997

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Father Thomas J. Quinlivan, a priest for nearly 53 years, died Feb. 5, 2025. He is best known as chaplain of St. Mary’s School for the Deaf and pastor of Queen of Heaven in West Seneca. Born May 1, 1946, in Buffalo to Thomas and Gertrude (Kerwin) Quinlivan. He attended St. John the Evangelist School and Bishop Timon High School, both in South Buffalo, before entering St. John Vianney Seminary, East Aurora. He also earned a master’s of science in Deaf Education from Canisius College, which he would put to good use later in life.

Ordained May 8, 1972, at St. John the Evangelist Parish by Bishop Pius Benicasa, Father Quinlivan began his ministry as parochial vicar at St. Anthony Parish in Batavia. He would go on to serve in the same position at Blessed Trinity in Buffalo and Infant of Prague in Cheektowaga.  From 1975-1983, Father Quinlivan served as chaplain at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf in Buffalo. From 1985-1990, he was a Maryknoll Associate.

In 1990, Father Quinlivan received his first pastorate to St. Mary of the Angels in Olean, where he served for seven years. In July 1997, he was named administrator of Coronation Parish in Buffalo. That December, he was named pastor of Queen of Heaven Parish in West Seneca. He retired in 2015.

Father Quinlivan was also a Knight of Columbus and a Knight of St. John.

Family will receive friends Monday, Feb. 10, from 2-8 p.m. at the James A. Cannan Funeral Home, 3155 Orchard Park Road. Father Quinlivan will lie-in-repose Tuesday, Feb. 11, from 9:30 a.m. at Queen of Heaven Parish, 4220 Seneca St., followed by a funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. Bishop Michael W. Fisher will be the main celebran